Joy of Living bible study on the book of Nehemiah

2. Announcements:
• Retreat has been cancelled for 2021
• Next Tuesday - January 19,2021 – new study
begins
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• The Hidden Christ of the Old Testament
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• website: www.joyofliving.org
• e-mail: info@joyofliving.org

3. “The story reveals clearly the way evil works. It
invades us quietly. Before we are aware of it we
have compromised ourselves and gone along with
standards widely accepted around. There are times
when we must take a strong stand against evil in
ourselves. We must be prepared to be drastic and
take often painful action to clear up the things that
are wrong in our own affairs. This is certainly true
today when people have gone along with the
world’s attitudes toward divorce, or pornography,
or the use of drugs or alcohol. Many Christians
shrug their shoulders and allow evil to take root in
their own lives.

4. This story pictures the way these false forces can
invade our lives and take up rooms in the very
temple of our spirit, polluting and destroying us in
the process. Remember what Jesus said in the
Sermon on the Mount: “If your right eye causes you
to sin, pluck it out… And if your right hand causes
you to sin, cut it off” (Matthew 5:29-30 NKJV). Take
action. Do not allow these evil things to remain.
Even if it takes painful effort to do so, end it! If you
have allowed your heart to be involved with
something that is evil and it is painful to give it up
— you must give it up. That is what Jesus is saying.
Bear the pain and stand firm”.
JOY notes

8. For this reason, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup
of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the
body and blood of the Lord. A person should examine
himself first, and in this way let him eat the bread and
drink of the cup. For the one who eats and drinks without
careful regard for the body eats and drinks judgment
against himself. That is why many of you are weak and sick,
and quite a few are dead. But if we examined ourselves, we
would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord,
we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned with
the world. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you
come together to eat, wait for one another. If anyone is
hungry, let him eat at home, so that when you assemble it
does not lead to judgment. I will give directions about
other matters when I come.
1 Corinthians 11:27-34

9. Investigate my life, O God, find out
everything about me; Cross-examine
and test me, get a clear picture of what
I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve
done anything wrong—then guide me
on the road to eternal life.
Psalm 139:23-24,
The Message

11. Please remember me for this, O my God,
and do not wipe out the kindness that I
have done for the temple of my God and
for its services!
For this please remember me, O my God,
and have pity on me in keeping with your
great love.
Please remember me for good, O my God.
Nehemiah 13:14,22,31

13. They were to rest in order to reflect on God’s
ability to work beyond the labors they had
already completed. Israel did not deliver itself
from Egypt. It could not. When they came to the
Red Sea they panicked. They did not know how
they were going to get through the waters. The
Egyptian army was coming on like forty acres of
horseradish behind them, and the Israelites
were afraid. But God opened the waters before
them. They were delivered with a mighty hand
and an outstretched arm. Therefore, they were
to think of that when they observed the Sabbath
day, the day of rest. JOY notes

14. You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
So I could stand and say
I am a child of God
I am a child of God
Yes, I am a child of God
I'm no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
No Longer Slaves, Bethel Music

15. What then shall we say that Abraham, our
ancestor according to the flesh, has discovered
regarding this matter? For if Abraham was
declared righteous by works, he has something
to boast about—but not before God. For what
does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God,
and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Now to the one who works, his pay is not
credited due to grace but due to obligation. But
to the one who does not work, but believes in the
one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith
is credited as righteousness.
Romans 4:1-5

17. Does this sound familiar? Do you live in strife
and panic? Is there a fretful spirit about you?
Have your self-protective attempts caused
more harm than good? Do you know that God
wants to give you rest? Hebrews 4:9 promises:
"So there remains a Sabbath rest for the
people of God." In response to your
realization of personal weakness, God has
called you to "cease striving," to end the
perpetual, frenetic grind to overcome
difficulties too big for you.
Exert from Cease Striving
devotional by Chuck Swindoll

19. Therefore since we have a great high
priest who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold
fast to our confession. For we do not
have a high priest incapable of
sympathizing with our weaknesses, but
one who has been tempted in every way
just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore
let us confidently approach the throne of
grace to receive mercy and find grace
whenever we need help.
Hebrews 4:14-16